Belmont’s DASIL Scholars Turn Adversity into Impact

Scholarship equips students with funding, dedicated leadership and mentoring opportunities, while honoring resilience

DASIL scholars have opportunities to meet with college leadership, work with university admissions to share their stories with incoming students and community partners, attend networking events and receive funding for research and conference travel. Incoming students in social work, public health and exercise science can be considered for the scholarship. 

“I have been deeply encouraged by this beautiful group’s curiosity and love of learning, their courage and commitment to justice and their collaborative spirit,” said Dr. Gary Austin, assistant dean and professor for the College of Pharmacy and Heath Sciences. “As they humbly seek to serve the Belmont, local and global community, we’re continuously inspired by their endurance and growth.”  

As the scholarship’s inaugural class nears the end of their freshman year, recipients Austin Goodsell (exercise science, ‘29), Grace Knight (public health ‘29)  and Salma Muhsin (social work, ‘29) are continually encouraged by the support of their professors and friends. Through DASIL, they’re ending the semester ready to seize every growth opportunity made available to them in the year to come. 

Living Authentically, Making an Impact 

For freshman Salma Muhsin, overcoming adversity is nothing new. Before coming to college, Muhsin encountered multiple difficult family situations while on a trip to visit relatives in Yemen. After being separated from them for more than a decade, the reunion was sweet, but also taught her many lessons in navigating hardship with adaptability, maturity and resilience — skills she still cherishes to this day.  

“That experience strengthened my ability to handle uncertainty and taught me the importance of staying grounded while supporting others,” said Muhsin. “What began as personal maturation during my trip continued through a consistent pattern of growth while overcoming the unfamiliarity of college life.” 

Since beginning college, Muhsin has committed to developing these traits through academics, community involvement and meaningful relationships. With her sights set on law school and as her passions for helping others continue to take shape, Muhsin credits the DASIL scholarship with giving her the confidence to bring her desires to life.  

“I love law and social work because they reflect my deeper desire to understand humanity and advocate for others,” shared Muhsin. “Living authentically is important and I’m incredibly grateful to Belmont for teaching us how we can go out in the world and use our education and values in a way that has a greater positive impact on society.”  

Growing in Confidence and Community 

The DASIL scholarship serves as both a growth opportunity and a means of support for recipients, guiding and challenging them throughout their college careers. Standout features of the scholarship’s opportunities includes dedicated one-on-one mentorship opportunities for the scholars to connect with college leadership and professors and, later on, a chance for the scholars to pay that mentorship forward as they help guide incoming DASIL classes.  

“I’ve gotten an incredible amount of support since day one,” said freshman Grace Knight. “Having so many professors who know my name and consistently offer guidance and advice has been a huge blessing. Knowing that the people teaching you also believe in you as a person has made me so much more confident in the classroom than I ever thought possible, and giving that to future students is an incredible opportunity to pay this gift forward.”  

University connections made through DASIL have already set many of the scholars on paths to future internships, shadowing opportunities and firsthand industry exposure. DASIL also provides opportunities for students to use skills learned in the classroom for real-world impact through service learning, which builds connections between the scholars and the greater community.  

“I love that we have opportunities to work together on projects that will make a difference,” shared freshman Austin Goodsell. “Getting to work with other students who have a heart for service makes me excited to go through college with a group committed to making a positive impact on others.” 

By continuing their growth in adaptability, community and confidence, the inaugural class of DASIL scholars will be well prepared to carry their new legacy forward in representing Belmont and mentoring incoming students in the upcoming fall semester.